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In Senne Lammens, Manchester United may have found their ideal David de Gea replacement. However, they are still searching for a reliable backup goalkeeper.
In recent years, United have signed Tom Heaton, Martin Dubravka, Jack Butland and Altay Bayindir for the role. Still, no one has managed to fill the void left by Sergio Romero, who played an instrumental role in the side’s Europa League triumph under Jose Mourinho.
The Argentine was a no-nonsense type of shot-stopper who did his job whenever called into action. Now, the 38-year-old finds himself in a precarious spot.
Former Manchester United cult hero struggling at new club
After departing United, Romero joined Italian outfit Venezia before returning to his home country with Boca Juniors in 2022.
The Argentina international enjoyed a solid stint between the sticks in La Boca and got to reunite with ex-Red Devils Marcos Rojo, Edinson Cavani and Ander Herrera.
Every player to play with Luke Shaw at Manchester United
| Player | Matches |
|---|---|
| David de Gea | 209 |
| Sergio Romero | 29 |
| André Onana | 23 |
| Dean Henderson | 19 |
| Altay Bayındır | 10 |
| Joel Pereira | 2 |
| Lee Grant | 1 |
| Tom Heaton | 1 |
| Martin Dúbravka | 1 |
| Senne Lammens | 6 |
| Victor Lindelöf | 157 |
| Harry Maguire | 140 |
| Aaron Wan-Bissaka | 118 |
| Chris Smalling | 67 |
| Eric Bailly | 55 |
| Raphaël Varane | 54 |
| Ashley Young | 54 |
| Diogo Dalot | 85 |
| Daley Blind | 42 |
| Antonio Valencia | 42 |
| Lisandro Martínez | 38 |
| Phil Jones | 38 |
| Marcos Rojo | 30 |
| Matteo Darmian | 20 |
| Axel Tuanzebe | 18 |
| Leny Yoro | 17 |
| Matthijs de Ligt | 17 |
| Paddy McNair | 10 |
| Noussair Mazraoui | 11 |
| Rafael | 6 |
| Jonny Evans | 6 |
| Tyrell Malacia | 16 |
| Brandon Williams | 16 |
| Patrick Dorgu | 17 |
| Alex Telles | 5 |
| Sergio Reguilón | 4 |
| Harry Amass | 4 |
| Tyler Blackett | 2 |
| Di’Shon Bernard | 1 |
| Ethan Laird | 1 |
| Willy Kambwala | 1 |
| Tyler Fredricson | 1 |
| Tom Thorpe | 1 |
| Ayden Heaven | 1 |
| Scott McTominay | 150 |
| Fred | 141 |
| Paul Pogba | 133 |
| Nemanja Matić | 98 |
| Ander Herrera | 63 |
| Casemiro | 65 |
| Marouane Fellaini | 46 |
| Christian Eriksen | 38 |
| Donny van de Beek | 32 |
| Michael Carrick | 28 |
| Kobbie Mainoo | 27 |
| Manuel Ugarte | 18 |
| Henrikh Mkhitaryan | 15 |
| Marcel Sabitzer | 14 |
| Morgan Schneiderlin | 9 |
| Bastian Schweinsteiger | 9 |
| Sofyan Amrabat | 7 |
| Darren Fletcher | 3 |
| James Garner | 2 |
| Dylan Levitt | 1 |
| Ethan Galbraith | 1 |
| Bruno Fernandes | 170 |
| Marcus Rashford | 200 |
| Juan Mata | 97 |
| Mason Greenwood | 81 |
| Jesse Lingard | 81 |
| Jadon Sancho | 55 |
| Antony | 46 |
| Daniel James | 42 |
| Alejandro Garnacho | 50 |
| Amad Diallo | 24 |
| Mason Mount | 20 |
| Ángel Di María | 16 |
| Adnan Januzaj | 12 |
| Facundo Pellistri | 10 |
| Bryan Mbeumo | 12 |
| Tahith Chong | 8 |
| Angel Gomes | 3 |
| Hannibal | 1 |
| Largie Ramazani | 1 |
| Omari Forson | 1 |
| Shola Shoretire | 1 |
| Anthony Martial | 143 |
| Romelu Lukaku | 47 |
| Edinson Cavani | 39 |
| Wayne Rooney | 37 |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | 32 |
| Wout Weghorst | 23 |
| Rasmus Højlund | 22 |
| Robin van Persie | 15 |
| Odion Ighalo | 14 |
| Radamel Falcao | 12 |
| Memphis Depay | 12 |
| Benjamin Šeško | 11 |
| Matheus Cunha | 10 |
| James Wilson | 5 |
| Joshua Zirkzee | 6 |
| Chicharito | 3 |
| Chido Obi | 2 |
| D’Mani Mellor | 1 |
He even earned an extension until December 2025. However, his contract was terminated by mutual consent in the summer, leading to a move to fellow Argentine side Argentinos Juniors.
According to Argentine outlet Bolavip, Romero has been dropped by his new club after just four appearances.
It is understood the veteran goalkeeper doesn’t have a place in Nicolas Diez’s plans, with the manager keen on backing youngster Gonzalo Siri.
The ex-United man has reportedly visited the facilities of Los Andes. He has also been spotted wearing the jersey of the second-tier club, raising question marks over his future.
Romero was treated harshly by Solskjaer
Romero’s final weeks at United were also blurry, to say the least.
The emergence of Dean Henderson pushed Romero further down the pecking order under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Everton tried to sign Romero in the summer of 2020, but United refused to lower their demands. Solskjaer, meanwhile, left the Louis van Gaal signing out of his Champions League squad in favour of Lee Grant.
Romero was a popular member of the squad at the time. As per ESPN, a number of United players expressed their disappointment at the treatment, as many felt he had been unfairly frozen out after years of service.
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